Aetna Inc. says it wants to buy out its partner in a pharmacy business that serves Aetna insureds who suffer from serious, expensive-to-treat conditions.[@@]
Aetna, Hartford, now owns 40% of the venture, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy, and it says it will be buying the rest of the business from its venture partner, Priority Healthcare Corp., Lake Mary, Fla.
Aetna is not discussing the price of the deal, but it says the purchase price it has negotiated will have no material effect on its earnings.
The deal is subject to approval by federal antitrust regulators.
Aetna hopes to complete the deal by March 31, 2006.